27 y/o college grad, want to quit job and travel

[shrimpstew]

<div>So I graduated with a 4 year Computer Science degree last year. But most importantly, at the time of my graduation, I was not in debt. I feel very fortunate. I am single, no children and nothing tying me down.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>My current situation:</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>I live with my mom right now. Rent is horrendous, and the 'system' is designed so single people like me working a $10/hour job won't be able to sustain themselves without help. I don't want to live with anybody, and I don't want to hand my paycheck over every month just to live in something that I will never own. My mom is coming down hard on me to find a better paying job. But, I don't like living in SE Louisiana, and I feel like dropping out of this rat race for a while. My job isn't anything spectacular, I've had it since I was still in school. It pays around $1200/month. I want to see the country, explore the different job markets, meet new people, make new friends, go to museums, take in the scenery, just have the feeling of freedom.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Any insights/suggestions/words of encouragement that seasoned veterans might offer would surely help me.</div><div>&nbsp;</div>

 

[caseyc]

Welcome to the forum! I feel your pain, I do!&nbsp; At the same time, when I was your age, I worked 3 jobs just to try to get ahead! With a computer science degree, can't you get at least a $50,000 annual computer gig job? I live in the land of Google, Cisco, Oracle, etc, so I know that $50k is the very minimum a computer job will pay. Sounds like you need to move out of your small town and head West, young man! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif">&nbsp; Good luck to you!

 

[Ziggy Moon]

What is your degree - Computer Information Tech, Programming, Web Design, something else?<br><br>I have a nephew that works for a large web design company here in Florida, he does well. He also does sites on the side (does well here also). I would think you could make at least a little business while on the road - that's if you were in web design - and you can do most of the work without needing internet (until you have to check it for bugs, appearance, whatever).<br><br>I also know a family friend who has worked for Oracle for many years, and he does most of his work from home.... I would imagine he would also be able to work from anywhere, as long as he had phone and internet services.<br><br>It might not be the mother load, but I think you'd somehow be able to make your degree work for you, if you decide to go off traveling. <br><br>

 

[Ocean]

As far as your vehicle goes you might consider trading. I spent a lot of time on Craigslist looking for a van. I didn't want to bother with selling my pickup truck either so I asked people that had vans that I was interested in if they would consider a trade before I even went and looked at it. 9 times out of 10 they said they would be interested in trading. Keep in mind that you may have to trade down to get something but then again you may not if you keep looking. I was able to trade my pickup title for title for my van. The van has almost the exact same amount of miles as my pickup had, MUCH more room, onboard generator (which I will probably sell), cabinets, a rack on top for my kayak, etc. Don't get discouraged, keep looking and you will find just what you're looking for if you do indeed decide to follow this path. Best of luck to you! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Mac J]

Shrimpstew, What are you doing working a $10 per hour job? Go back to school Get some tech jobs on the side, get your Masters Degree and take the world by storm. If you don't go back now and get your postgraduate degree, you will find it VERY hard to go back later, if you go back at all. Quit feeling sorry for yourself, buckle down and get your future organised. The road will always be there. Tidy things up&nbsp;for your future!

 

[Guest]

Maybe you could keep your job for now, but still move into a van and see how that goes. When you save up a wad of cash and find a great job somewhere else then move to the new place and still stay in your van.

 

[cyndi]

Shrimpstew, there is absolutely no reason at all NOT to take a year or two off from the rat race. If you were leaving a career that you loved then I'd tell you to think hard and long.<br><br>Travel, in and of itself, is an education. Whether of not you choose the life style permanently is not a question you need to answer, right now.<br><br>As a side note, check out the top 5 regrets of the dying.<br><br><a href="/post/Top-five-regrets-of-the-dying-6399650?pid=1278497961#post1278497961" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Top-five-regrets-of-the-dying-6399650?pid=1278497961#post1278497961</a>

 

[Guest]

Probably a good time to go read point 1 on&nbsp;<a href="/post/Top-five-regrets-of-the-dying-6399650" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Top-five-regrets-of-the-dying-6399650</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>I agree with the "keep your job for now and move into the van and see how that goes". Keeps you in the money while getting the van, and sorting out the initial move in stuff. &nbsp;You may find expenses that you didn't anticipate at first - repairs, new items, etc... And everything will take longer than you think to set up, so better to have the money coming in while waiting for stuff to happen. &nbsp;Also having a job, will keep you busy while waiting, and reduce worries of your saving eroding to set up the van.&nbsp;<br>Then you've got the van, move out of home and have your own space. Take a few weeks or a couple months to be comfortable in the van, then quit work and do what you want. &nbsp;<br><br>

 

[my_vantasy]

I'm with Cyndi on this one. If you put off travel, you may find yourself married, mortgaged, and with children in the next few years. Don't get me wrong --lots of us fit or did fit or aspire to fit that description --but your ability to take off and explore may take a back seat to those responsibilities. Seize the day!

 

[ilovemyvan]

Hi Shrimpstew.<br><br>What I gather from your post is that you have your head on straight and you are a realist which makes me believe that you will do just fine adventuring. Ozgirl's strategy&nbsp; makes perfect sense, it's a win win way of doing things. It seems to me that you&nbsp;already make good choices, not too many of your classmates can say that they graduated debt free. You will make the same kind of good choices/decisions on the road.<br><br>We have to trust life a bit more and stop worrying so much, specially at a young age. Be willing to see and take opportunities as they present themselves. "You get up in the morning and you never know what's going to happen" no&nbsp; matter how much you planned, things will happen and not only bad things. If you get on the road I guaranty you that you will find opportunities that you hadn't considered and never would have&nbsp;think of if&nbsp;you stayed home.&nbsp;Expect things&nbsp;to work out and they will.&nbsp;Trust your future, keep an opened mind&nbsp;and enjoy the ride.<br><br>I will always remember my coworker's reactions when they found out that I was leaving IBM after 15 years to go backpacking&nbsp;around the world for a year.&nbsp;&nbsp;After the initial surprise&nbsp;had past, most of them told me what they would do if they had the courage to&nbsp;leave, even my 3rd level manager had&nbsp;an unfulfilled dream.&nbsp;<br><br>Go and have fun.<br><br>Nicole

 

[Mac J]

If I could have your problem for just one minute.<br><br>the good:<br> I'm guessing you're 21 years old.<br>you have no debt,<br>you have some money saved,<br>you own a Ford Ranger, <br>you live with your mother.<br><br> the bad:<br>you're employed in a nowhere job<br>you don't like living in Louisiana.<br><br>You want to go to museums, and see/experience life. You've got a Batch. of Sci. but...that's not rare these days. You want to give it all up to travel in a van around North America.<br>Do you really think you'll go back in a couple of years and finish your degree? I'll bet you don't.<br>I think you will spend all your money, see a bunch of museums, get caught up in the traveling lifestyle and end up back at your mothers house eating crow, with a nowhere job and a van.<br>Finish your degree sir. Then travel, see the world, make your Mom proud. What's another 2 years of school. You've got momentum now .....if you wait ....you may loose it.

 

[Guest]

<p><br>the only advice I have is do what YOU want.&nbsp; Don't listen to people who tell you to wait unless that's what you want to do.&nbsp; You never know what'll happen in your life, &amp; you don't want to look back in the future, at this point in your life, &amp; regret not living for yourself.<br>There'll always be other jobs, other opportunities for education if that's what you want to do in the future.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Even if you 'end up back at your mothers house with a nowhere job &amp; a van', it's not like you'll be any worse off than you are now, &amp; you'll have tried something that you wanted to do.&nbsp; The experience alone will be worth it.<br>Every time I bring up the fact that I'm going to live in a van, I hear 'I wish I had done that when I was young enough to get away with it'. </p>

 

[Ocean]

I have to agree with cyndi, ozgirl, my_vantasy and the rest...if you want to go exploring then go. I've done the college thing and I have my degrees but that piece of paper does not promise you anything. I've been locked down to a mortgage, married, and had a job making good money with good benefits. What most people consider the American dream was, to me, a nightmare. My advice is this...travel while you're young, while you can enjoy it. You&nbsp;will find many more opportunities while on the road then you will ever find living at home. If you go and find out it's not for you then what have you lost? Nothing. You find a place to settle down, go back to school (if that's what you want to do), and go from there...but then you will have the knowledge and experiences under your belt from your travels...and perhaps a better idea of the direction you want your life to go. Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do!&nbsp;

 

[Noah]

You will have plenty of people like Mac J telling you that you are making a mistake.<BR><BR>The important thing is doing what you feel compelled to do. Careers and families aren't for everyone.<BR><BR>The great thing about this forum is that we (for the most part) pretty much support you in your decision no matter what it is.&nbsp; <BR><BR>The other great thing is that we have been where you stand, made a choice, and most of us are very happy with it.&nbsp; I, and many others on here, are glad&nbsp;we didn't listen to people&nbsp;who&nbsp;think they know what's best for us.<BR><BR>Go for it!&nbsp;Worst thing that&nbsp;could happen is you go back and try again, wiser for the experience.<BR><BR>-Noah<BR><BR>ps&nbsp; &nbsp;I mean no disrespect to Mac J,&nbsp;I only use you as an&nbsp;example of&nbsp;other's opinions we all need to deal with one way or another.&nbsp;Your comments are valid here, but don't forget that we need to make our own decisions and potentially mistakes.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Just keep abreast of the changing tech and you will be fine.&nbsp; They want the skills not a paper, even if that is a direction you want to go.&nbsp; You might find something you enjoy more in your travels.<br><br>As for the van, i am the same height as you and i can tell you that the higher the top you can get the better <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="bbc_img">

 

[Ziggy Moon]

I have a college degree, and a professional license in the field of my degree..... The jobs and money are always there for me no matter where I go in my state (and other states if I choose to apply for license). &nbsp;<br><br>Years ago I set a goal, and I achieved that goal later in life, after raising three children. However, I now find myself very discouraged by the expectations of family and friends who can not understand my dissatisfaction to working in a profession that cares more for the almighty dollar than it does for human life (<em>my opinion based upon my experiences only</em>).<br><br>Yeah, we all need money... but how much of your life and happiness are you willing to give to earn a buck, especially if that money is earned at the expense of another human being. <br><br>Shrimpstew, be careful to set goals that you will be happy with.... not goals that will only make you a lot of money. <br><br>

It does not matter where you go and what you study, what matters most is what you share with yourself and the world.<br> - Santosh Kalwar

 

[Mac J]

Those of you that are college grads&nbsp;but opted for the van life, do you have any regrets about college? Apart from the possible student loan debt of course, was it a waist of time? Was what you learned not valuable in it's &nbsp;interaction with todays world? <br><br>Was it worth it?<br>If you could do that time of your life over again would you drop out and buy a van?

 

[caseyc]

A college degree that is useful, relevant, and in demand is never a waste.&nbsp; I have a bachelor degree in business myself and have various financial licenses, which make me employable most of the time, except when the economy is tanking badly especially in the financial markets. <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif">&nbsp; Beats working in retail or fast food places anytime. No offense to anyone, of course! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif">&nbsp; What is a shame is when someone gets badly deep in debt with a "degree" that few employers care to hire. I've seen this happen too often to people I know.&nbsp; The last major "scam" I've heard about is a well known culinary academy that "implies" to its incoming freshman students that you will become a famous chef such as the ones you see on television. These poor "chef" graduates end up in huuuuuge debts, and worse, cannot get a job that pays&nbsp;the rent in their chosen field.&nbsp; A well known chef school in my city was sued off its pance with a huge class action lawsuit because its admissions officers used all kinds of deceptive marketing practices to entice would-be students.&nbsp; I actually know a few such graduates from the aforementioned culinary school, and those graduates ended up in other fields.&nbsp; This is just an example of course, not trying to prove a point of any sort since we are all simply chatting and making discussion here. <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif">

 

[Ziggy Moon]

@ MJ - I raised/supported my three kids without a degree - was it hard? YES, of course it was! <br><br>There were times when I had wished I had went to college before any of my children were born. But at the time my first son was born I was married and had already served three years in the military. My second son came at five years in the military, and my daughter came at seven. It was a financial struggle all the way to their adulthood. But the ex-wife and I did it. I learned more from those years then I will ever learn from any university. But, unfortunately that kind of learning doesn't count, at least when trying to earn the big bucks.<br><br>A college education is never a waste of time and it is well worth the effort, I will always push my children toward higher education. But if they decide it's not what they want to do, then that is their decision, and it's OK with me. I would never try to make them feel like they are less than someone who has a degree - I've always told them, whatever you do... just be happy. Knowing that they are happy, makes my day.<br><br><ul><li>Is a college degree valuable <span id="post_message_1278517586">in it's &nbsp;interaction with today's world</span>, that would depend on the degree earned.</li><li>Do you need a degree to be valuable in the job market, NO!</li><li>Do you need a degree to earn a lot of money, NO! There are some technical trades that can, and do make more than I have the potential to make with a degree. But I'd admit, it isn't typical.</li><li>Do I have regrets about college, YES! The type regret that are sort of like, If I only knew then, what I know today (see previous post above)! But that's life.</li><li>Did I earn my degree for the sole purpose of making the big bucks? No, Absolutely Not!</li><li>Is it nice knowing that I can make very good money if need be? Yes! I made an excellent choice in choosing a high demand, professional career - but did I mention, it wasn't about the money.</li></ul>At the time I earned my degree, my children were all young adults and out on their own... and I was, and still am, a divorced/single man - how much money do I actually need. At the moment I have ONLY three monthly bills total - and I can pay those without working.... am I rich, NO! Not at all.... but nowadays, for the most part, I am poor by choice. <br><br>My oldest son is in the Army. I know he doesn't make a lot of money, and he does not care to hear me tell him to get some college under his belt - I am still very proud of him - but for me, it's nice knowing that he will have the funds for college after his military career, if he decides to attend later in life - just as I did.<br><br>My youngest son has worked with the Veterans Administration for nearly six years now - he has taken a few college classes, but he didn't have a degree when he started with the VA, and I'm not sure if he will ever get a degree. But I'll leave that up to him, because he seems to be doing surprisingly well for a single young man.<br><br>My daughter! Well I really wish she would consider getting a college degree - I believe she depends too much on her future with the man she is with (he has a degree), but he also has very bad credit and has made some very poor decisions.... yep even a college education doesn't make you intelligent. For her sake, I hope she can better herself and her situation. I don't want her to have to depend on anyone, but having a college degree wouldn't necessarily change that. But for now she seems happy with life, and working at a Bank - So I'm happy for her.<br><br>My replies seem to be getting a little too deep.&nbsp; I can't recall what member of this forum has it posted as his/her tag line, but it goes something like this; "<em>I reject your reality and substitute my own</em>"... I love it! <br><br>I offer my own opinion based on my own experiences - it's my reality! <br><br>It's like they say, "Opinions are like butt-holes... everyone has one"! Although, I think some of them do stink more than others - and that's based on professional experience - my reality.... literally! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[caseyc]

Even if I wanted to get a master's degree, it would be difficult for me. Difficult not because I'm not intelligent enough, but difficult because I've noticed I have a harder time concentrating for&nbsp;hours and hours at a time on textbook learning.&nbsp; As I get older in my late 40s, reading dry textbooks that are complex in nature makes me&nbsp;very sleepy and I lose concentration.&nbsp; One time several years ago, I was trying to study for the CFA exam (Chartered Financial Analyst), and trying to study corporate accounting and taxation literally put me to sleep! I could not stay awake after barely 40 minutes of going through numerous textbooks. Moral of the story, if any?&nbsp; Get higher education out of the way when you're younger if possible.&nbsp; When I was in my 20s, I was able to hold down 3 jobs at the same time, plus go to college in the evenings and write term papers all weekend, plus have a married life with a 3 hour rountrip commute in a new house in the suburbs.&nbsp; Yes, my health was probably sacrificed inhaling gallons of coffee and no-doze pills, but I got through it! Nowadays, I'm happy just to get through an 8 hour work day, haha! I used to think my energy level had no boundaries.&nbsp; Ahh, how young and stupid I was to think so. I love taking naps nowadays, and simply lying on the sofa watching TV and vegetating. My new goal in life is to be stress-free!&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">